The fifth and final debate between Washington’s candidates for governor was punctuated by personal attacks. Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna met in Seattle Tuesday night. The format encouraged them to engage each other.

Washington Governor's Debate

5:49 am

Fri October 12, 2012

As Election Day nears, the candidates for Washington governor appear to be getting mellower, not feistier. Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee met Thursday night in their fourth formal debate. Correspondent Austin Jenkins reports the face-off was void of many zingers.

Front Page

6:17 am

Fri October 5, 2012

This is Front Page, our new segment featuring conversations with journalists taking a closer look at the people, issues and events shaping lives across the Pacific Northwest. Today we’re visiting with the Spokesman Review. Here’s our news director John Paxson.

The candidates for Washington governor are accusing each other of plotting tax hikes if elected. The issue of taxation came up repeatedly Tuesday night as Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee met in Yakima. It was their third debate.

As the presidential candidates prepare for Wednesday night’s debate, polls show President Obama averages a 15-point advantage in Washington over Republican rival Mitt Romney. Washington’s open race for governor is much closer. The two candidates in that contest met Tuesday night in Yakima for a fiery third debate. But the polls highlight a reality for Republican Rob McKenna: he’ll have to woo a good number of Obama voters if he’s to become Washington’s first G-O-P governor in nearly 30 years.

Toastmasters International is a public speaking club. But one of the most active Northwest chapters is in a place where its members can’t actually go out in public. We’re talking about the chapter based at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. The inmates who participate get the chance to practice their communications skills with a university debate team. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman went behind the walls of the maximum security prison for this report.

Gubernatorial Debate

5:55 am

Thu August 30, 2012

The candidates for Washington governor sparred over taxes and personal tax returns in their second official debate Wednesday night. The face-off took place on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University. Correspondent Austin Jenkins has highlights.

Gubernatorial Debate

6:30 am

Wed August 29, 2012

Southwest Washington is the setting for the second official debate of the 2012 governor’s race. Republican Rob McKenna and Democrat Jay Inslee will face off Wednesday night on the Vancouver campus of Washington State University.